CSL News | Resource Sharing

Friday Grab Bag, December 8, 2023

By Amy Hitchner: Published on
CSL News, Resource Sharing
Photo by Lester LaForce
The Straight Creek Journal, December 10, 1973

The Friday Grab Bag is a weekly series that highlights fun, unique, and interesting happenings in Colorado libraries, and includes news from Colorado State Library.

Let’s open the Friday Grab Bag!

Winter Adventures

Grand County Library District’s Adventure Snowshoe Club meets on December 9 for a winter adventure at Rabbit Ears Pass. Bring your own snowshoes or borrow them from the library. Registered participants will receive an email with more details.

Westminster Public Library invites teens to an Indoor Snowball Fight and other games on December 15, 6:30 to 8:00 pm, at College Hill Library. Registration is required.

Vail Public Library announces a new Storywalk title, “The Winter Train” by Susanna Isern, at Bighorn Park in East Vail. Families are invited to enjoy the book page by page while strolling through the outdoors.

Spirit of the Season

Dorm Council Furnishes Christmas Tree
The Arrow-CSU Pueblo, December 13, 1963

The Original Dickens Carolers are singing in the holidays at LINC in High Plains Library District on December 9 at 2:30 pm. This beloved tradition is perfect for all ages.

Denver Public Library and Swallow Hill Music present a performance of new and familiar songs by All Seasons Choir, December 11, 7:00 pm at Swallow Hill Music School. Come hear what this multigenerational group has been rehearsing for weeks.

Lafayette Public Library invites you to do your holiday shopping at the Senior Center Craft Fair, December 9 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Check off some items on your to-do list while supporting this fundraiser.

Pueblo City-County Library District is hosting Santa & Mrs Claus Christmas Event on December 9 at 10:00 am at Pueblo West. Enjoy storytime with Mrs. Claus, take a photo with Santa, and make a gingerbread house to bring home.

Crafts and Cocoa

Ruby M. Sisson Memorial Library is hosting their popular annual event, Hot Chocolate Hullabaloo, on December 14 at 4:00 pm. Come celebrate winter with crafts and hot chocolate.

Louisville Public Library invites families to Winter Fest on December 14 at 6:30 pm. This drop-in event will feature winter crafts and hot cocoa.

Russian Christmas dancers
The Estes Park Trail, December 12, 1973

Jefferson County Public Library’s Arvada Library is hosting a Holiday Open House on December 13 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. Make a holiday card, sip on hot chocolate, and enjoy the music of guitarist Aaron Summerfield.

Enjoy some Crafts & Cocoa at Longmont Public Library on December 15 at 3:00 pm. Join a make & take mug craft while enjoying some hot cocoa in the Unquiet Study Room upstairs.

Mancos Public Library invites kids and adults to Christmas Crafting and gift making on December 15 at 12:30 pm. Come do some holiday crafting together.

Pikes Peak Library District’s Wrap and Yap Party is an opportunity to get head start on your gift wrapping while enjoying some hot cocoa and cider. Join the fun on December 13, 11:00 am, at Palmer Lake Library.

Join La Veta Public Library for Holiday Gift Wrapping on December 9 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Enjoy hot cider and cookies while you’re wrapping, or take a break to make a mini gift to keep or give away.

Southwest La Plata Library District’s Ornament Extravaganza is an annual tradition, now happening over two days on December 8 & 9 at Fort Lewis Mesa Public Library. Drop in for some family fun while you make ornaments to take home.

Pick ‘n’ Mix

The Colorado Association of Libraries Intellectual Freedom Committee is looking for a co-chair for 2024-2025. CAL-IFC meets once a month, on the second Wednesday 3-4 pm MT virtually. The co-chairs meet the prior week to plan the agenda. The time commitment is about 4 hours a month. Email co-chair Dodie Ownes at downes@denverlibrary.org if you are interested.

Penrose Community Library District will host Nature’s Educators for their presentation, Animals of the Wizarding World, on December 14 at 4:30 pm. Learn about the animals featured in the Harry Potter books and movies. Feel free to dress in your favorite wizarding gear.

Lone Cone Library is hosting a Geminids Meteor Shower Party on December 14 at 6:00 pm. Bundle up, bring a chair, and enjoy an evening of hot dogs, cider, and a fire pit while you watch the skies.

Mountainfilm on Tour makes its annual return to Bud Werner Memorial Library for one night only. Join them for a free community screening of hand-picked films from the Mountainfilm festival on December 14 at 6:30 pm.

Lighting Chanukah Candles
Intermountain Jewish News, December 13, 1963

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Library Jobline

Are you considering a job change this year? Check out Library Jobline for hot new library employment opportunities, like this selection from around Colorado.

This post is part of the Spotlight on Sharing initiative, which aims to increase the visibility of Colorado library programs and resource sharing. Do you have a story from your library to share? Email Amy Hitchner, ahitchner@coloradovirtuallibrary.org.

All images are from the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection, a service of Colorado State Library.

Amy Hitchner
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